Thanksgiving Dinner Donation Drive Update

11/16/2021 10:28 am

UPDATE: As of Tuesday 11/16, we now have 101 donations totaling $5,300!! We will be able to assist all of the families as we were hoping to do with grocery gift cards, so we are going to close this fundraiser. 

Our community is incredible - thank you!!

 

One of the many wonderful ways that the Tuscan PTA helps to support the community is through fundraising initiatives. With this in mind, there are 35 families we hope to help this year at Thanksgiving. Our goal is to raise at least $3,500 dedicated to this purpose by Friday, November 19. Any donations will be used by the PTA to purchase grocery store gift cards.

 

As of Monday evening, 11/15 we have received 35 donations totaling $2,510. Our goal is $3,500 and we need to buy the gift cards by this Saturday. 

 

If you are able to help, there are three ways to give (we strongly prefer online donations if possible):

1. by donating online here 
2. by sending a check to your child’s classroom made payable to the Tuscan PTA - please write ‘Thanksgiving Drive’ in the memo line
3. by sending cash to your child’s classroom in an envelope marked ‘Thanksgiving’

 

Thank you for helping make our community stronger!

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PTA and SEPAC meetings this week

11/8/2021 6:00 am

Welcome back Tigers! We hope everyone enjoyed the Fall Break. 

 

A reminder that we have a few upcoming events (and that these are also listed in our PTA Calendar that you can subscribe to here). 

 

PTA Meeting, Wednesday, 11/10 @ 7:30pm via Zoom

Find out what we're working on and see how you can get involved! 

 

SEPAC SOMA Meeting, Thursday, 11/11 @ 7:45pm via Zoom

The ABCs of IEPs in Pre-K. Learn more about Special Education during the preschool years, led by Beth Cosentino, SEPAC VP of Policy (and Tuscan Parent!) They'll also have a breakout room for general  discussion, questions and support for all grades.

 

Tuscan Show Parent Interest Meeting, Monday, 11/22 @ 7:30pm via Zoom

The Tuscan Show - the most highly anticipated Tuscan event - is on for the 21/22 school year! Come join the show directors to get all your questions answered. Find out how you can be part of the magic that is The Tuscan Show. Go to www.tuscanshow.com for the meeting zoom link and all show info this year! Can’t make it? Check the site for more details after the meeting or email tuscanshow@gmail.com.

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ICYMI: The annual Tuscan Thanksgiving Drive is now open for donations! 

11/2/2021 2:32 pm

Your generous donations will be used to purchase grocery store gift cards to help the Tuscan families whose finances are tenuous to help them with their Thanksgiving celebrations. 

 

Our goal this year is to raise at least $3,500. Find out more on how to donate here. 

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Autumn is here (finally)!

10/17/2021 5:22 pm

We now return you to your regularly scheduled autumn, already in progress

Pumpkin spice, red-gold leaves, a hint of chill in the air, and most pleasant of all -- our kids heading off to full days at school with their friends almost like in the Before Times. A parent could get used to this! 

 

We met… we zoomed… we laughed… we talked 

On October 13, we kicked off the year with our first PTA meeting. It was great to see so many faces and to start the year. We heard from PTA President, Ronni Schwartz, Ms. Majeed, Mr. Bertani, our SEPAC representative Kay Puthaaroon and more. The meetings are open to all, so please join us next time around. The next meeting is slated for Wednesday, November 10 - add the Zoom link to your calendar!

 

Oh, snap… lose your picture QR code? Read on

It’s very possible that the form with the QR code to access your kids’ photos may have gotten lost in the stack of art and drawings coming home in their backpacks. This comms person nearly threw hers out! If you’ve lost it, no problem! Just email Hi@iamacamera.net  and the photo team will help. A quick note to say that they will also be circulating new coupon codes once the photos are ready. Keep an eye on your inbox!

 

Parent lunch volunteers should be… parents (or primary guardians)

It is SO MUCH FUN volunteering at lunch but volunteers should be Tuscan Tiger parents/primary guardians and not anyone else. So, have a keen grandmother visiting from Biloxi? An eager grandad making a trip from Grand Rapids?  Sorry, they can’t take a lunch volunteering slot. It must be parents/primary guardians only. 

 

BOO! Made you look

The Tuscan PTA is hoping to add some scare back into the fun of Halloween with an event on October 29 from 5-7pm at the school. Info can be found here. Want to scare… I mean… help? Please email jennifer@melonearchitects.com to volunteer. 

 

Make a difference at CHS

Have a few spare hours and looking to help make a positive impact on SOMA? The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund (CHSS) is expanding its board of trustees. The CHSS is a need-based fund that helps CHS students to pursue their dreams of post-secondary education, including two- or four-year colleges, trade or technical schools, and graduate schools. Interested? Email chssf@chssf.org.

 

November 2 is voting day

There. I said it. November 2 will see NJ take to the polls to decide on everything from the Governor all the way to representatives in the community, including Sheriff, Township Committee, Board of Education and the Maplewood Capital Improvement Proposal. Away? You have until October 26 to vote by mail. Download the form  here. 

 

Join us! Meet us! 

Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need. 

 

And finally…

 

Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com

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Tuscan PTA updates, there's a lot so read carefully!

10/10/2021 8:16 pm

I’m not going to lie. This is a big one, folks. There is just so much going on. Which is great on these wash-out October days. Read below to find out how to access your kids’ pics; a reminder of some important guidelines; more about the upcoming Board of Education election; and details on a very important event… the PTA Halloween party. Read on!

REMINDER: This Tuesday, October 12 is a half day of school for all SOMSD schools. Remember to pack a bigger snack than usual and to plan for the 12:45 pm dismissal/pick up. 

It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year… 

Halloween is JUST around the corner! And if you’re like us, you’ll remember what fun Tuscan and Maplewood were at Halloween in the before times. Well, the Tuscan PTA is hoping to add some scare back into the fun of Halloween with an event on October 29 from 5-7pm at the school. Don your scariest costume, practice your ghoulish moves, and get ready for sugar overload. More info to come. We need some help with this event - if you’re interested, please email jennifer@melonearchitects.com to volunteer. 

Pictures, please! Get a hold of your kids’ pic

Phew! Picture day went off with a hitch...sort of. Despite the rain day last Monday, our kids posed and gave their best smiles. Desperate to see how their pics turned out? Each child should have been sent home with a form in the backpack that allows you to view the result of the day online and gives you the option to purchase prints. If you cannot find the form, please email hi@iamacamera.net to get information to log in to see and order your child’s pictures. 

The PTA supports picture orders for families who may need assistance. Please contact Tuscan’s Social Worker, Ms. Buggy at ebuggy@somsd.k12.nj.us or call our photographer at 908-228-5674 for confidential assistance and ask for the PTA package. Missed the week entirely? Make-up picture day is on November 19. 

PTA Meeting - via Zoom this Wednesday, October 13 at 7:30 pm 

Zoom in to join us for a virtual meeting to discuss our budget for the year, events that are coming up, and help us vote (you must be an official member to vote) to make our Equity and Inclusion position an official executive board role. There are also many opportunities to be as involved as you’d like to be. When else can you be in a meeting in your pajamas?! Oh, right... 

 

We need YOU to help make our yearbook awesome!

A cute first day of school pic? A class playdate? Halloween? We want your pictures! Send them to tuscanyearbook@gmail.com to be included in this year's schoolbook! Order your book before October 31 to get 5% off, using this link. Also, you can create custom pages with your child’s best pictures to make it extra special and two are included in the basic price!

Try not to lose it… we need help with the Lost and Found

The school is seeking volunteers to manage the school’s Bermuda Triangle of water bottles, socks, and sweaters. This person will work with a staff member to coordinate bringing the lost and found outside on occasion so grown-ups can try to locate their child’s items. To volunteer, please put on your life jacket and email TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com. 

Keeping hydrated and staying that way

If your Tuscan Tiger forgets their water bottle or runs out of water, don’t worry! There is a supply of water bottles at school for kids who forget and there is a water bottle filling station (with filtered water) in the cafeteria. 

A reminder…

If you are a lunchtime volunteer (thanks!), please remember that taking pictures and videos of the children is absolutely not allowed and masks are mandatory…

...Speaking of lunch, many of you have been asking about what the guidelines are for eating lunch when it’s raining buckets out there. Those can be found here.

Also, here are the District’s guidelines for quarantining when you have traveled out of the state. 

Who’s who in the BoE election

Next month, three of the nine seats on the Maplewood South Orange Board of Education are up for election. Want to learn more about the candidates? There are a series of events planned so that we can all get to know the candidates better. 

They are as follows:

1. October 11 at 7:30pm: The President’s Council and the League of Women Voters is holding the first debate. Click here to register.
2. October 20 at 7:30pm: Hilton Neighborhood Association. The Zoom link will be available on the HNA Facebook page ahead of this open-to-all event.
3. October 26 at 7:30pm: South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. Click here for more info and to register for this virtual event.

Harvest up some fun

Next Saturday, Seth Boyden is holding its annual Harvest Festival to celebrate the season and all things local. Held on October 16 from 12-4pm in the Seth Boyden playground, there will be food trucks, performances, pumpkins, games and much much more. Masks are mandatory.

Join us! Meet us! 

Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need. 

And finally…

 

Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com

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Get ready for a busy week at Tuscan - Week of RESPECT, Picture Day and PE week!

10/3/2021 7:54 pm

On the eve of The Week of Respect at Tuscan, it’s a good moment to remind ourselves of our school’s motto: R.O.A.R. Don’t know what it means? Ask your Tuscan Tiger! They know it and live it every day they grace the halls or log into virtual school. (psst: Respect Others and Act Responsibly)

R.E.S.P.E.C.T that is what this week is for me

From October 4 to 8, schools across the great state of New Jersey will recognize “The Week of Respect”, which is aimed at preventing instances of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. At Tuscan, there are a number of exciting initiatives planned, see below for a quick list but don't forget to read Tuscan Tidings carefully for info on what’s happening every day.

• Monday 10/4 - Light it up Blue: Wear BLUE today, the national anti-bullying color 
• Tuesday 10/5 - Superhero Day: Wear your favorite superhero gear to show admiration for your favorite superhero 
• Wednesday 10/6 - Sock-It to Bullying: Wear crazy fun socks to show that we are "socking-it" to bullying in our school! 
  
• Thursday 10/7 - Tuscan Spirit Day: Wear your favorite Tuscan gear to show respect for your school community! 
• Friday 10/8 - Pajama Day: Show that you are "putting bullying to bed" by wearing your favorite PJs to school! 

We’re particularly excited about PJ day… oh… that’s just for the students? Shame.  

Picture This…

It is supposed to rain most of the day on Monday, October 4, so we’re moving Monday’s picture day to Thursday, October 7. Classes scheduled for Tuesday, October 5th are still scheduled for that day as planned. You can find the schedule for your child(ren) here. 

Let’s get physical, physical

Who knew the first week of October would be so busy? It’s also PE week. And oh boy, the weather is looking… decent. A list of suggestions is here, and if it rains, there are plenty of suggestions for indoor activities. 

SEPAC SOMA is meeting

Do you have a child with an IEP or 504? Do you have questions about Special Education or want to connect with other families? Join SEPAC SOMA's first community meeting of the school year on October 6 at 7:30pm! Sign up for meeting notices (and to get the Zoom link!) at www.sepacsoma.org

Board of Education Candidate Debate hosted by The League of Women Voters and the SOMSD President’s Council Tune in to watch some Talking Heads debate

Interested in who is vying for the Board of Education? The candidate debate is taking place on October 11 at 7:30pm. Register here to attend.

Hola, Hispanic Heritage Month! Ho-la la la

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations continue, and on October 9 from 3-6pm, the festivities come to Memorial Park. Music, dancing, and a screening of Coco all under the sky will mark the day’s events. The festival is hosted by SOMA Cross Cultural Works and Maplewood Township, NJ, and sponsored by several organizations including our main event sponsor, Sacks Orthodontics Livingston NJ.

Join us! Meet us! 

Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need. 

And finally…

 

Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com

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Reminder: Wednesday is a half day, 12:45pm pick up!

9/26/2021 5:30 pm

Don’t forget:                       
Wednesday is a half day.     
Wednesday is a half day.
Wednesday is a half day.

Because Wednesday, September 29 is virtual Back to School Night at Tuscan, dismissal is at 12:45pm. By now, your teachers will have shared a link to join their virtual session, so please look out for that. Our Tuscan Tigers will have snack time but not lunch.

Get coordinated
A number of classes across all grades are still in need of parent/guardian class coordinators. The role of class coordinator is a wonderful way to get involved with your class through helping to organize parties, arrange teacher gifts, communicate between the teachers and the other parents, and play a part in the life of the school. Sound good to you? Please sign up here.

Picture perfect poses? PLEASE!  

Fall 2021 Tuscan Picture Day will be October 4 and 5, with a rain date of October 7. With changing leaves as the backdrop, photos will be taken outside at the Dell again this year. As always, all students will be photographed and this year there is no pre-ordering or pre-payment.

We know that there are some families which may need assistance with the purchase of photo packages. All you need to do is send an email to Ms. Eva Buggy, our Tuscan Social Worker at ebuggy@somsd.k12.nj.us. Each student will receive a proof/access form to view their pictures a week or so after picture day. Thanks to Tracy Sham and Vanessa Parvin, our fabulous Picture Day chairpeople, and photographer Peter Collura for making it happen.

Yearbook Editor needed!
And this year we are in need of a Yearbook Editor. Our previous editor no longer has Tuscan Tigers, but she is happy to help transition the work to a new team. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email PTA President, Ronni Schwartz at TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com.

Counseling for families with Elementary school children
You may not know that The South Orange and Maplewood School District provides access to counseling services for children at each of the Elementary schools in our district, including Tuscan. Request more information on the services provided by filling out this form.

Share with SOMA
If you’d like to find a way to give back to the community but you’re unsure how, SOMA Shares is looking for a Tuscan liaison to help knit our school into the wider network of schools in our area that SOMA Shares supports. SOMA Shares is a grassroots organization striving to meet the needs of students and their families across the entire South Orange Maplewood School District. Interested? Drop them a line at somashareseveryday@gmail.com and cc: TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com.

... speaking of sharing
SOMA Shares is looking for backpack donations for teenagers. Have any gently used backpacks kicking around? Please drop them off at 519 Hartford Court in South Orange or email somashareseveryday@gmail.com.

Hispanic Heritage Month     
While we may be getting close to the end of September (wait... what?!), Hispanic Heritage Month is just getting started. Running from September 15 to October 15, MAPSO will celebrate, spotlight, and educate on all aspects of Hispanic culture. Check out what’s happening around
town here.

Join us!
Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need.

And finally...
Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com

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We did it!

9/19/2021 4:48 pm

Well, we did it folks! We made it through the first full week of school, and oh boy, are we ready for some normalcy! The good news is that Fall is upon us, and that means there is a lot of fun on the horizon. The week has been noisy, frantic, and fun. 

Who are we? WHO? WHO?

Now that you’ve heard from us a few times, this seems like a good opportunity to intro the people who are working behind the scenes to lead us through the school year. Meet the PTA board here, and say hello in the parking lot aka the new blacktop. 

Virtual Back to School Night is a go

Sadly not everything is in person just yet, including Back to School Night. The virtual event will be held on Wednesday, September 29 6:30-8pm online. Prior to the date, teachers will email parents with a Google Meet link for you to join. Remember that it is a half day dismissal at 12:45pm (no lunch, classes will have snack as usual).

F-Stop it! Picture Day is here?!

Develop that heartbreaking smile as the Fall 2021 Tuscan Picture Day will be October 4 and 5, with a rain date of October 7. Time to zoom in on bright outfits and combed hair, as photos will be taken outside at the Dell again this year. Thanks to our fabulous Picture Day chairpeople and photographer for making it happen. 

Lend a hand at lunch

Would you like to volunteer at lunchtime? Spaces are on a first come, first served basis. Please sign up here. 

Volunteer as a class coordinator

Would you like to help organize for your child’s class and be the liaison between the teacher and the other parents? If there are more than two sign-ups per teacher, we’ll pick two parents/guardians per class (two for each homeroom for 4th and 5th grades) lottery style. If you don’t see your child’s teacher listed, don’t worry. We’re fortunate that a few classes have received an overwhelming response so we'll be drawing a lottery from the current list of volunteers. More information to come in the next few weeks. Please sign up here.

Book fest! 

The fifth annual SOMA book fest will be held on September 26 at The Woodland and this year there are 45 children’s authors! The festival is free of charge and will be held from 11am-4pm. Learn more here. 

Join us!

Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need. 

And finally…

Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com

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The First Week of School is here!

9/11/2021 9:23 pm

Pencils are sharpened, chalk is fresh, the teachers are ready! Despite the slight delay, no thanks to Hurricane Ida, the Tuscan hallways are ready to be filled with students again. The first day is upon us! Parents get your high fives ready. Let’s do this!

Return to school handbook

As a quick reminder, the SOMSD has pulled together a Return to School handbook, which can be found here. Be sure to swat up!

But where do we drop our kids?! 

Wondering exactly where and how to deposit your little learner tomorrow? Ms Majeed’s Tuscan Tiding blog post explains everything you’ll need to know. Didn’t get it? It’s right here! Don’t forget, school starts at 8:45...

PTA meet and greet

A brief reminder that tomorrow after drop off, the PTA is supplying much needed caffeine and a chance to meet other parents. Join us to say hello over a cup of something warm and delicious. We will meet on the “new black top” aka the parking lot at 8:45am. 

Lend a hand at lunch

Would you like to volunteer at lunchtime? Spaces are on a first come, first served basis. Please sign up here. 

Volunteer as a class coordinator

Would you like to help organize for your child’s class and be the liaison between the teacher and the other parents? If there are more than two sign-ups per teacher, we’ll pick two parents/guardians per class (two for each homeroom for 4th and 5th grades) lottery style. More information to come in the next few weeks. Please sign up here.

Beyond the Bell is back baby! 

Think you have a budding young astronaut? Cook? Or maybe you just have an avid lego builder? Well, we’ve got great news for you! The Beyond the Bell after school program (run by the district) is returning to our school. Registration opens September 14 at 7am. Get in there quick! You can find registration information here.

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... And We're Back!

9/8/2021 9:02 pm

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

It’s that time of year again… breathe a sigh of relief, the school year is upon us! For those who are returning, it’s great to see you again; for those new families, we can’t wait to meet you! 

And meet you, we will! On Monday, September 13, the PTA is hosting a Back To School Coffee for parents and guardians after drop off in the parking lot...which will not be used for parking this year! This is a great opportunity to see old faces and meet new ones. 

Parent Orientation for incoming Kindergarten students is today, September 9, at 2pm. Hear from Ms. Majeed and Mr. Bertani on what to expect for the year ahead. Click here to join or dial in by phone: 1-337-339-9410 PIN: 353 254 804#. 

Join us!

We hope as many parents as possible will join the PTA this year. Are you looking for a way to support the school but don’t have much time? Don’t worry! We got you! Not only do we have some open volunteer positions, but even if you don't plan to volunteer or you don’t have the time, your membership helps the school community. 

We have some specific positions open at the moment: 

• Yearbook chair (contact Ronni at TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com) 
• Class coordinators: Our goal is to have two coordinators per classroom. If there are more than two volunteers for a particular class, we will do a lottery. When creating your new account (more on that below), don't forget to indicate if you are interested in being a class coordinator for your child's class. 

New year, new look 

We are excited to roll out the new PTA website. We’ve upgraded to a platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up  can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need. 

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